Manisha Koirala weds Samrat Dahal

After enthralling movie goers for close to two-decades, 40-year-old Manisha Koirala, Nepal’s most popular export to Bollywood, tied the nuptial knot on Saturday with Samrat Dahal, 33, a Nepali businessman.

The ceremony held at a forest resort on the outskirts of Kathmandu was attended by close friends and relatives from both families. The wedding took place in traditional Nepali style with Hindu rituals.

The engagement function was held at the same venue on Friday.

Close friend and actor Deepti Naval, who is directing Manisha in forthcoming film Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish, and Vivek Mushran, her co-actor in her debut movie Saudagaar (1991) were present.

Looking radiant in a yellow sari with red border, Manisha placed a garland on her beau and exchanged rings.

The reception is scheduled for Sunday at a five-star hotel in Kathmandu. Actors Jackie Shroff, Govinda and eminent director Subhash Ghai are expected to attend the ceremony likely to be attended by 3000 guests.

President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the entire who’s who of Kathmandu’s political and social circuit are expected to attend.

Manisha, who belongs to Nepal’s first family, is the grand-daughter of Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister BP Koirala.

Beginning her acting career in the Nepali film, Pheri Bhetaula, Manisha soon shifted base to Kathmandu where she acted in a number of critically acclaimed films including Bombay, Akele Hum-Akele Tum and Dil se.